I messed up, got spacers and now want to upgrade.

So, I got a Ready lift 3" spacer kit with Falken Wildpeak AT3 275/70/17 and it looks great and is perfect for mall crawling, my original plan.

But now, I am leaving the east coast and traveling cross country (expensive trip) and plan on possibly doing some actual SMALLtime off roading.

My question...

Can I get new shocks and upper control arms to support my truck while keeping the spacer kit? If so, any suggestions on what to get?

Thank you.

**braces for sarcasm and flame attack.**

 

If it works in the mall it will work cross country and small time off roading. (Your definition)

I followed a high mileage street tired 90s Sienna and a 90s Corolla on a road here in Honduras this week that half the folks on this board would have felt required Kings and gnarly ATs.

I will say a kidney belt would have felt good....

 

You'll be just fine on your trip. Know your limitations and don't get too brave especially when off-roading by yourself. See how the truck performs then decide if you really need what you want.

 

Going off roading? Look into the Bilstein 6112 & 5160 with the icon Add-a-lift, plus SPC upper control arms, front drop klt, sway bar relocation kit!
Going right will cost more? Bilstein is a very popular lift kit due to it prices and quality.

Spacer kits and off roading? May work for some people? But after a while? You may want a more durable set up?

Going off roading can be adventurous, with the right equipment. The wrong set-up? Maybe disastrous?
Aloha,

 

Bring basic recovery gear too. I carry it with me at all times. I also have a recovery strap in my Outback commuter car.

 

You’ll have to ditch your current spacer/coil over assembly all together if you want to get new coilovers that provide the lift without spacers.

In my opinion you should be fine with the spacer lift if you like the way it looks and feels. Not necessary to get a whole new suspension for light off-roading. Like SCS said just know your limitations and don’t rip it too hard because spacers pre compress your current spring so it limits the capability and if pushed too hard it can break. Enjoy it and throw a little mud but don’t try any jumps at high speed lol

 

I know it's hard for some to believe but dudes where off roading long before ICON and FOX came along.

Checkout the trails these guys run:
https://www.toyotaworldrunners.com/

 

Thank you all for the responses... I think I will just ride it out until I upgrade. I don't plan on going crazy in it, just camping with the family.

Thanks!

 

You have all the equipment you need for what you describe. Spend that money on your family with a smile on your face.

 

Family should always come first! Especially the children!

When I was trying to build my 4x4 trucks to the way I wanted them, took months to years, sometimes? Doing one thing at a time.
Aloha

 

You can offroad with spacers, just don't bash off rocks or race too fast on rough roads.

The concern is bottoming out too hard.

I've offroaded with spacers and without before, there's no major reason to be worried, just do it.

Adjustable upper arms and eventual coil overs are good idea.

 

Spacers are fine. Just don’t go high speed when off Roading. Everyone who says spacers are horrible, are way over Exaggerating. Off course a new coilover would be better but we are all on a budget. Same thing with uca. No point in upgrading unless you are getting the spc which allows for adjustment.

I ran a stock uca on a 3” lift with no issues. Upgraded to the jba hd high caster and now regret it. It pushed the wheel into the cab so now my truck rubs on 265 70 17 tires. And the truck drives the same. Other reason for installing aftermarket uca is the more angle you can get out of the ball joint. So more travel…..but that was proven not to be true by a famous YouTuber. He compared the stock one to a bunch of aftermarket uca and they all had the same amount of angle they can achieve.
So what I decided in the end was the only upside of getting a uca, Is that it’s made with a thicker material then stock.

 

“One” compared study does not make it all true? Or false? About angles for upper control arms. There is more to it , from what I understand.

If it was true? All the same? Then why would you replace it with a aftermarket ones?
Why would the many aftermarket UCAs makers claims more downward wheel travel then stock? I read people with 2-3 inches of lift notice better handling with the aftermarket UCA’s? Then w/o?
I would like to hear more on UCA’s AFTERMARKETS to stock?
Note: Most AFTERMARKETS UCA sellers, mentions not really needed for 2 inches of lift or less?
Aloha

 

I don’t understand that. How is the truck going to be driving better after uca? The only thing it can make different is by changing the caster. Tire rack states “Increasing the amount of positive caster will increase steering effort and straight line tracking, as well as improve high speed stability and cornering effectiveness.” But will we notice that on our trucks? Not sure. I noticed no difference. May just me.

this is the video I was talking about. This guy is great. https://youtu.be/huMztKaHsUE

 

Oh I like hearing what he says in his videos too. A very sharp and smart person. In his opinion he mentions not very much differences?

Yet there is a difference? In a wheel alignment been just a little off? In the long run ? That difference may cause incorrect tire wear?

He mentions under 2 inches, I get the impression no aftermarket UCA needed? Over 2 inches, He does mention the benefit and design of AFTERMARKETS will help for better ? Best to you watch his video and make your own decisions?

Seems like the SPC has a huge amount of adjustments , finding a wheel alignment specialist of knowledge installing the SPC, is hard to find? Ironman does offer a bit more wheel travel, not by much?

I am getting a JBA uca arm install on my son’s 2016. There is a local tire shop, that sells the SPC UCA , and did my wheel alignment after I install a SPC uca. There are known for lifting the many 4x4’s on the Big island. Specialist in Toytec lift kits.

He did not change my thoughts of not needing a aftermarket UCA . I will always have one install. Sometimes a little difference can be a huge difference in the long run?

Like a little more air in the tires, gets just a little more gas mileage? How many littles will this add up? For saving gas and increasing mileage?
Aloha

 

Thank you for all the solid responses. Considering I will not be doing anything heavy or extreme I will continue with my current set up.

 

Please let’s know how the spacers performs on the off roads.

 

Just do the 2/1" Bilstein 5100 lift. Best bang fo the buck.